Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
“Come here, Little girl,” Beau whispered sleepily as he opened his arms for her to cuddle against him.
“The plug works, Daddy.”
“I knew it would. Sleep now, Maisie.”
She squeezed the metal device in her bottom experimentally and closed her eyes. No bad guy could get her in dreamland. She had a secret weapon to protect her. Her eyes closed as she wiggled closer to her Daddy.
CHAPTER 17
“We’ll go back to Avondale this weekend to announce our engagement to my parents,” Beau shared at breakfast the next morning.
“They aren’t going to be happy,” Maisie predicted.
“We’ll talk to your father and relatives as well. Perhaps they’ll surprise us.”
“And if they don’t?”
“Then we live a happy life.”
“And if they support us?” she asked, trying to judge how much importance he put on his family’s approval.
“Then we live a happy life. I’m not going to allow my parents to dictate who I can love and marry. It won’t happen.”
Maisie crossed her fingers by her side. She hoped that his parents would see how much she’d changed from the poor kid from the wrong side of town. Beau had always worked within the requirements of his family. His only rebellion had been their group.
Suddenly, her nutritious breakfast lost its appeal. She dropped the spoon into her oatmeal and pushed it away. “Will you have another long day?” Maisie asked, trying to change the subject.
“It could be. I’ll keep you updated. Are you going into work today, Little girl?”
“Yes. There’s a big meeting at eight. I must be there on time.”
“Look at your phone every once in a while,” he requested.
“I’ll check at lunch and before I leave. I lock my phone in my desk at work so I don’t get distracted. I hate how much time my colleagues waste during the day.”
“Eat lunch today when you check your phone, Little girl.”
“I’ll grab a smoothie or something.”
“Something with some nutritional value, Little girl.”
“Aye, Aye, el capitan!” Maisie saluted in mock compliance.
“Should I leave out the plug set?”
Maisie shuddered. She’d seen the array of anal plugs he had in his set this morning as he replaced the one he’d removed from her after cleaning and drying it. The one she’d worn last night to keep the nightmares away had worked like a charm. It was also the smallest in the set. The largest made her wince just thinking about it.
“No, Daddy. All my bad dreams are gone.”
“I’m glad, sweetheart. You can ask to wear it any time you need a reminder that you’re safe.”
“Um… Thanks, Daddy.”
His delighted chuckle made her laugh as well.
It was wonderful that his punishments really wiped away all the bad stuff that happened between them. Whether it was a spanking or that plug, Maisie felt completely free of lingering worries. She was a good girl immediately.
Catching sight of the time, she jolted to her feet. “Daddy! I have to go.”
“Drive carefully, Little girl. Text me when you’re in the office.”
“Will do, Daddy,” she promised and kissed his cheek quickly before running to brush her teeth and potty. The ride to the office could take a while in rush hour traffic.
Her phone rang while Maisie was on her way home. Her mind still focused on all the work her team had completed during their meeting. She didn’t have to leave her home office often, but was glad the team had decided they needed to meet at least once a week to focus together on their project. They’d made a lot of progress in one day.
She smiled, seeing Beau’s name appear on her car’s display. Accepting the call, she said, “Hi, Daddy.”
“Hey, Little girl. Come the back way into the apartment complex. The press has figured out where I’m living and they’re at the front entrance.”
“Why would they stop me?”
“They know we’re in a relationship.”
“And they’ve decided it’s a news story?” she asked, feeling her blood cool inside her.
“Investigative journalism at its finest. My team is on it, and I’ll address any questions officially tomorrow. I just want to make sure you get home without running a gauntlet.”
“That sounds scary.”
“You’ll be fine. Just keep your windows up and smile. If you have any problems, go circle the neighborhood and call me. I’ll deal with their questions tonight to draw the reporters away.”
Maisie rubbed the soft cactus mini-stuffie attached to her keyring. She couldn’t carry Floof with her in her meetings, but she could take Floof junior without anyone thinking it was odd. Dealing with the media was a whole different process when the reporters were there to cover her personal life instead of an exciting scientific discovery.
She passed the large group hanging on the sidewalk outside. The security door kept them outside. Maisie crossed her fingers as she rounded the building. Crap! There were a few there as well. Steeling her nerves, Maisie channeled her inner “don’t fuck with me” persona that had gotten her through all the encounters with class snobs in high school.